About Us
Our programs are diverse, benefitting both rural and urban communities. Learn a bit more about our campaigns through the following links:
Click here to see our past accomplishments
NCAP celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012! Click here for a retrospective of our work over three and a half decades!
Our People
NCAP Staff
Kim Leval, Executive Director
Kim joined NCAP as Executive Director in January 2009. Kim brings to
NCAP 25 years of non-profit work experience and a passion for working
with people to find alternatives to pesticides. From 1997 to 2007, as a
policy analyst with the Center for Rural Affairs, Kim worked with
farmers, scientists, and health and environmental advocates to develop
federal policies to benefit family farms and ranches, sustainable and
organic agriculture and research into alternatives to pesticides. Kim
then worked as Fund Development Director for Rural Development
Initiatives. Her work has included grassroots organizing, federal and
state policy development, and educating and engaging people on how to
create needed reforms. Kim serves as a member of the Oregon Organic
Coalition Leadership Council, as a member of the policy committee of the
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and as a board
member of the newly founded national organization - IPM Voice. Kim has a
Master of Science degree in Adult Education and Agricultural
Extension from Cornell University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in
International Studies from the University of Oregon. She brings
expertise in adult learning theory and transformational and
institutional change models and relates this knowledge to achieve
lasting change through NCAP's work.
541-344-5044, ext. 15
kleval@pesticide.org
Shelly Connor, Development Director
Previously, she worked as the associate director for Appalachian Voices, an environmental non-profit based in Boone, NC. In addition, she worked as director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and served on the Board of Directors for two years. She also worked as a citizen outreach director where she ran a door-to-door fundraising campaign for Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG), Sierra Club and the Human Rights Campaign. She was the co-founder of the first Montana Farm to College Program at the University of Montana in Missoula. Shelly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and Masters of Science degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. Shelly joined the NCAP staff in 2008.
541-344-5044, ext. 17
sconnor@pesticide.org
Aimee Code, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Associate
Aimee spent two years in the Peace Corps in Honduras promoting organic gardening and educating communities about pesticide risks. She was previously employed at the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, an EPA-funded public education group. Aimee earned a Masters of Science in Environmental Health and Toxicology at Oregon State University in 2000. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (1994) from Northern Arizona University, with interdisciplinary focus on international relations and environmental studies. She joined the NCAP staff in 2000.
541-344-5044, ext. 27
acode@pesticide.org
Edward Winter, Financial Manager
Previously, he served as financial manager of an organic juice cooperative for 12 years and worked as an accountant for 20 years. He also worked as a statistician for the National Center for Health Statistics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and sociology from the University of Minnesota in 1964. He joined NCAP in 2000.
541-344-5044, ext. 28
ewinter@pesticide.org
Rebecca Matsumato, Membership Assistant
Rebecca began volunteering at NCAP five years ago, spurred on by a desire to protect her daughter's health, and began working here as the Accounting Assistant within a few months. She graduated cum laude from the University of Oregon in 2000 with degrees in Japanese language and Asian Studies. She is pleased to be working toward a less poisonous future.
541-344-5044, ext. 19
rmatsumoto@pesticide.org
Jennifer Miller, Sustainable Agriculture Associate
Jen coordinates NCAP's sustainable agriculture work with farmers in
southern Idaho. She previously taught plant biology at Southwestern
College, a liberal arts college in Kansas. Jen received her Bachelor of Science in
biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1994 and her doctoral degree in
plant physiology from The
Pennsylvania State University in 2000. She joined the NCAP staff in
2002.
Boise Idaho Office
208-850-6504 (phone)
208-433-1827 (fax)
jmiller@pesticide.org
Josh Vincent, campaigns Associate
Josh currently does communications and outreach for NCAP's online, Pesticide Free Parks and Sustainable Agriculture programs. Before joining NCAP, he worked as the community outreach and program research assistant for Oregon Toxics Alliance. He holds a degree in graphic arts from the University of Oregon, and has worked as an organizer on environmental issues since 2006.
541-344-5044, ext. 22
jvincent@pesticide.org
NCAP Board
TONY BRAND, IDAHO (PRESIDENT)
Tony is owner of Brandtastic Soil, LLC and manufactures and distributes potting soil and soil amendments to retailers in Southern Idaho and Utah. He has served with the board of the Twin Falls, Idaho Area Chamber of Commerce, Twin Falls Optimist Club and the Idaho Chapter of the March of Dimes. He is a founding board member of the Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District where he has worked for prevention and a strong Integrated Pest Management policy. Tony is also a Master Gardener.
BRISE TENCER, CALIFORNIA (VICE PRESIDENT)
Brise Tencer is the Director of Policy and Programs for California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF - soon to be CCOF Tilth). She leads CCOF’s local, state, federal and international policy initiatives and advocacy campaigns. She previously served for four years as the lead lobbyist on food and agriculture issues for the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C., and for seven years as the Legislative Coordinator for Organic Farming Research Foundation.
SAHALE LITTLE, WASHINGTON (TREASURER)
Sahale is a financial analyst with Coinstar, Inc., a multi-national company that provides coin-to-cash services in thousands of retail locations. Previously, she was an associate with the equity firm, The Sienna Group, LLC , managing long term investments for West Coast companies.
SARA NIENABER, OREGON (SECRETARY)
Sara is currently a graduate student in environmental studies at the University of Oregon. She is a recent transplant to the Northwest, moving to Eugene from Ohio after earning her BA in zoology in 2009 from
Ohio Wesleyan University. Sara has previously completed research on the effects of atrazine and carbaryl on amphibian physiology, and is now interested in studying the social and political factors that can encourage alternatives to pesticides.
Betty McArdle, Oregon
Betty McArdle serves as Program Director of Community Media Assistance Project (CMAP). She grew up in the radio community and has assisted radio engineers in their work with community radio. She has 15 years of professional experience with community outreach and public involvement. She has worked with many citizens groups as a volunteer over the past 40 years. Before CMAP Betty served as a contract events coordinator teaching Naturescaping, or chemical free landscaping using native plants and environmentally friendly gardening practices. Betty has served as a staff member with Oregon Environmental Council and as a board member of other environmental groups before joining NCAP’s board.
Helen Haberman, Oregon
Helen is an environmental science teacher in the Rachel Carson Program, a small learning community where students gain an in-depth understanding of the natural environment at Eugene's Churchill High School. Students in the program monitor watershed health and provide valuable restoration work in partnership with government and non-profit groups. Helen previously managed a small business in Eugene. She has a master's degree in education.
Martin Guerena, California
Martin Guerena is a former Peace Corps volunteer (Ecuador) with a BS from UC Davis and a MS in Agriculture, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a certified organic inspector and California Pest Control Advisor. Mr. Guerena has experience working as a farmer, farm advisor, teacher, sustainable agriculture specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is currently the integrated pest management specialist for the City of Davis, California.
